Some people say that you haven’t really traveled if you haven’t tried solo traveling. Solo traveling gives you so much freedom to plan and explore without really relying on other people. It can also be a great opportunity to meet fellow travelers, experience a new place from a different perspective, and make friends while traveling alone.
During your travels, you can meet a lot of new and interesting people you can learn from. They might be solo travelers with years of experience, locals with a different perspective, or simply people who share the same interests as you. All these encounters can turn what seems like an ordinary trip into a more memorable experience you’ll cherish forever.
But how exactly do you make new friends—better yet, a lifelong connection—while traveling?
How to Make Friends While Traveling Alone
Building new connections while traveling doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right mindset and a few simple actions, you can easily meet new people and make friends while traveling alone.
1. Be Friendly
Friendships don’t just start out of nowhere. The first step to making new friends while traveling is to be friendly – and that starts with presenting yourself as welcoming and approachable. Simple gestures, such as saying hello, smiling, or simply making eye contact, can make it easier for someone to start a conversation with you.
You can show your openness through body language and initiative. Here are a few things you should remember to appear friendly:
- Initiate conversations;
- Don’t spend too much time on your gadget;
- Keep your head up, avoid slouching, and remember to always smile; and
- Last but not least, avoid closed body language such as crossed arms, crossed legs, or turning away from the other person.
At the same time, pay attention to social cues. If someone seems uninterested in talking, respect their space instead of forcing the conversation.
2. Take a Class
Have you ever heard of the saying, “kill two birds with one stone”? The saying means “to achieve two things at once”, and taking a class during your travels is definitely considered one of the ways to do it.
Taking a class can help you achieve two things: to learn a new skill and to meet people who share the same interests as you. You might not meet a lot of people during your class, but as the class goes on, you can ask why they’re interested in taking the class. Usually, the conversation will come out naturally from there.
Hands-on activities such as cooking classes, language exchanges, and creative workshops can be especially useful because the activity itself gives you an easy conversation starter.
3. Join a Group Tour
A group tour doesn’t always mean a tightly scheduled trip where you barely get the time to breathe in between each destination. If you want more opportunities to socialize with fellow travelers, consider a small-group tour or activity where participants have more time to interact with one another.
Try a small group tour instead; it’s usually limited to six to eight people and isn’t as tightly scheduled as the usual tour. In this kind of tour, you’re more likely to meet fellow solo travelers – making them much more open to conversations than those in a normal group tour.
Depending on your preferences, you can also look for group activities like culinary tours, workshops, and day trips. Everyone has something in common thanks to these hobbies, which lessens the awkwardness of the first conversation.
You can start by striking up a conversation during the tour. Ask them why they’re interested in taking the tour and let them steer the conversation from then on.
Also read: Solo Traveler? Live the Life, but Stay Safe!
4. Be Spontaneous
Solo travel is all about having freedom. That’s why during the travel period, you shouldn’t make a strict itinerary where you plan everything right down to the second of your day.
Allow some room for you to be spontaneous; it can be the key to a long-lasting friendship during your travels. For example, you met someone during your group tour, and they invited you to have dinner with them. Instead of declining because you have other plans, you should say yes and give the new friendship a chance to grow!
You can always go to your planned destination on the next day. Maybe after that dinner, you can even go there with your new friend.
Leaving some flexibility in your travel plan also gives you room to join a local event, visit a recommended eatery, or spend more time with people you meet along the way.
5. Stay in a Hostel or Capsule Hotel
Aside from being a cheap accommodation alternative, a hostel or a capsule hotel also offers a chance for you to meet new people due to its communal nature.
For that reason, a hostel or a capsule hotel is usually a hotspot for solo travelers. Additionally, you don’t have to stay in a large dorm. Depending on the property, you may find smaller shared rooms, private rooms, or communal areas that let you socialize while still having some personal space.
Here are a few ways you can make friends in a hostel or a capsule hotel:
- Hang out in the common area;
- Get started with your day early and show up for breakfast; and
- Join social activities, such as group tours or any group activities in the common area.
You can also check recent reviews before booking to see whether the accommodation actually has communal spaces or social activities that suit your travel style.
Also read: The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Southeast Asia on a Budget
Want to Make Friends while Traveling Alone in Indonesia? Stay at Bobopod!
If you’re looking to travel all over Indonesia, then you can definitely stay at Bobopod by Bobobox, a great base to make friends while traveling alone. It’s also perfect for travelers who want to allocate their budget for other activities instead of spending too much on accommodations.
Each Bobopod branch is located in a tourism hotspot, so travelers can visit many iconic culinary gems and destinations within a short walking distance. Bobopod also uses a QR code-based access system for guests, helping keep access to the property and pod personal to each guest.
On top of that, Bobopod strives to offer a unique experience. Guests can stay in a futuristic pod powered by the Internet of Things. You can personalize your stay by adjusting the pod lighting according to your mood for a more pleasant stay.
For solo travelers, you can also make new friends in our communal space—complete with WiFi for those who want to upload everything about their travels.
Whether you start a conversation in the communal space or simply exchange travel recommendations with another guest, shared spaces can make solo travel feel a little less solitary.
Book your stay now to experience Indonesia in a unique yet authentic way. For more information, download the Bobobox app here!
Header image by: jcomp on Freepik
